Novorossiysk port (archive)

MOSCOW, March 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has called to step up the construction of the facilities of the Black Sea fleet base in Novorossiysk. Shoigu particularly asked to complete the construction of a mooring front and the western pier ahead of schedule - in 2015.

Shoigu, accompanied by a group of top officials, flew in a helicopter over the fleet facilities under construction. After the helicopter flight the defense minister met commanders of the Southern Military District and heads of the Spetstroi (construction) company who reported to the defense minister about the progress of the implementation of the tasks Shoigu set forth during his previous visit last May, including the construction of Vyazevo airport being built in the interests of the Defense Ministry.

"Over the past month cardinal changes have been made in connection with the accession of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to the Russian Federation. In this connection it is necessary to specify a list of facilities planned to be built in the framework of a federal program on the deployment of a system of facilities of the Black Sea fleet on the territory of the Russian Federation in 2005-2020," Shoigu said.

Shoigu praised efforts made to catch up with the schedule of the construction of the fleet facilities in Novorosiysk and urged to uphold the pace of the construction and have the mooring front and the western pier built in 2015, rather than in 2016 as initially planned.

In 2013 fleet facilities were commissioned which enabled to harbor new ships and submarines. Important facilities of the Novorosiysk fleet base were reconstructed, and hostels for personnel were built.